Pool water filtration system

ABSTRACT

A system and method for filtering pool water by removing algae from the water without the use of chemicals is presented. The system includes a pump, a hose, and a filter. The pump is configured to move a volume of water from the pool and push the water through the hose. A container is in communication with the hose to receive the water. The container includes an internal filter and a series of holes in the body of the container. The water passes through the filter and is discharged out through the holes. The water is recycled through the filter continuously. The location of the pump and the container relative to one another within the pool allows an operator to dictate the level of circulation and filtration of water through the pool.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/121,086, filed 8 Sep. 2014. The information contained therein ishereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present application relates to a filtration device, and moreparticularly to a portable filtration system used to accelerate theprocessing and removal of algae from a swimming pool.

2. Description of Related Art

Pools are common in the United States, especially in warmer climates.Pools require a set level of maintenance to maintain clean and clearwater. The exact type of maintenance can depend on the type of cleaningsystem used. The basic system uses a large pool pump to draw in a volumeof water and pass it through a filtration medium. The water is thenpassed back into the pool. The pool includes a set of inlet ports(skimmers) where the water is drawn from. Additionally, there are aplurality of outlet ports for the return of the water. The idea is thatthe location of the ports and the sizing of the pool pump is ascertainedso as to permit the filtering of the entire pool. The filters used inconjunction with the pool pumps can be of various types but each has alife expectancy before needed to be replaced. Factors such as thecleanliness of the pool and the total volume of water processed directlyaffect the frequency of filter cleaning and replacement.

In conventional pools there are 2 basic elements to pool chemistry:water balance and sanitation. A series of chemicals need to beperiodically tested, including: pH Level, Alkalinity Level, CalciumHardness Level, and so forth. A proper pH Level can be 7.4 to 7.6. Aproper Alkalinity Level may be between 100 to 150 ppm (parts permillion). A proper Calcium Hardness Level may be between 200 to 275 ppm(parts per million) for plaster pools. Naturally the type of pool andcleaning equipment used can vary the type of chemicals tested for andthe frequency of tests. Other factors that come into play are thetemperature and location of the pool. Hot days can quickly use upchemicals added to the pool to maintain a proper set of levels. Trainedprofessionals and experienced home owners are typically able to properlymaintain a pool with appropriate effort.

However, it is not uncommon for pool chemical levels quickly going outof balance for various reasons. As the pool levels are unbalanced, algaecan quickly grow and consume a pool. Some reasons may be failure toproperly maintain a pool and equipment failure (i.e. a pool pump).Typically harsh chemicals are added to pools to treat algae breakouts.This requires the pool pump to run constantly for at least a 24 hourperiod and comes with a warning not to enter the pool for apredetermined time frame. Energy costs associated with running the pumpincrease as well. Where equipment failure was the cause, treatment isunable to proceed until the repairs are performed. Repairs can be costlyand take a number of days to finish. In the meantime, the algae problemscontinue to worsen resulting in greater cost and difficulty inovercoming it.

Although strides have been made to simplify the maintenance of pools,considerable shortcomings remain. A new system is needed that can serveto temporarily filter pool water and remove algae. The system needs tobe portable, less costly to run than a pool pump, and can remove algaefrom a pool irrespective of the operability of pool equipment so as toallow quick treatment. Ideally the system should work without the needof harsh chemicals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present application to describe a portable waterfiltration system completely detached from existing pool maintenanceequipment that is configured to permit the chemical-free treatment andfiltration of pool water so as to remove algae from the pool. The systemincludes a pump for obtaining and pumping the pool water through a hoseto a container. The container has a filter and a plurality ofapertures/holes for permitting the passage and discharge of pool water.The system is selectively placed within the pool and configured tocirculate and filter the pool water.

It is an object of the present system to permit for the visualinspection of the filter within the container to ascertain the conditionof the filter. The container is permitted to remain submerged in thepool during inspection. The system is permitted to continue operationduring inspection.

It is a further object of the present system to selectively dictate thetype of circulation occurring in the pool during filtration. The poolwater is pulled in through an inlet in the pump and moved over to thecontainer where it is discharged. Water is continuously fed through thepump and the container. By varying the location of the inlet and thecontainer, a user is able to affect the type of circulation occurring inthe pool. Locating the inlet adjacent to the container minimizescirculation and provides localized treatment of the pool water.Localized treatment can result in faster algae filtration and reducedcosts. Locating the inlet distal from the container increasescirculation throughout the pool and provides generalized treatment.

Another object of the present application is to minimize the costsassociated with continuous filtering of pool water through conventionaltreatment methods. Additionally, the system is operable with or withoutthe operation of the standard pool equipment. The system is thereforesimple to begin and treat while pool equipment is inoperable. The systemalso avoids excess wear and tear to existing pool equipment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the application are setforth in the appended claims. However, the application itself, as wellas a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantagesthereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water filtration system according toan embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of a filter used in the water filtrationsystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the water filtration system of FIG. 1 in apool.

FIG. 4 is an alternative side view of the water filtration system ofFIG. 1 in a pool.

While the system and method of the present application is susceptible tovarious modifications and alternative forms, specific embodimentsthereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are hereindescribed in detail. It should be understood, however, that thedescription herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit theapplication to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary,the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of thepresent application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the preferred embodiment are describedbelow. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actualimplementation are described in this specification. It will of course beappreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment,numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedeveloper's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effortmight be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationshipsbetween various components and to the spatial orientation of variousaspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attacheddrawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the artafter a complete reading of the present application, the devices,members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in anydesired orientation. Thus, the use of terms to describe a spatialrelationship between various components or to describe the spatialorientation of aspects of such components should be understood todescribe a relative relationship between the components or a spatialorientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the devicedescribed herein may be oriented in any desired direction.

The system and method in accordance with the present applicationovercomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonlyassociated with the treatment of pools from the growth of algae. Inparticular, the system is configured to either process pool water so asto remove algae. The system may be used as a supplement to existingoperable pool filtration equipment so as to speed up the filtration ofalgae. Additionally, the system can operate without functioning poolequipment and act to be the sole filtration device to remove algae. Thesystem does not need to use chemicals. The system is portable and canprovide either localized or general filtration treatments. Anotheradvantage of the present system is that the cost to operate it isconsiderable less than typical pool pumps. By using the system of thepresent application, the strain on existing systems is minimized and thelife expectancy of such systems is not diminished. These and otherunique features of the device are discussed below and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

The device and method will be understood, both as to its structure andoperation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying description. Several embodiments of the device may bepresented herein. It should be understood that various components,parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combinedtogether and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are withinthe scope of the present application, even though not all variations andparticular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also beunderstood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/orfunctions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated hereinso that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from thisdisclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of oneembodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate,unless otherwise described.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identifycorresponding or similar elements in form and function throughout theseveral views. The device and method of the present application isillustrated in the associated drawings. Referring now to FIG. 1 in thedrawings, a perspective view of a pool water filtration system isillustrated. System 101 includes a pump 103, a hose 105, and a container107. Pump 103 is configured to move a volume of water from within thepool and pass that volume of water through hose 105. Hose 105 is incommunication with pump 103 and container 107 and is configured todirect the volume of water being moved by pump 103 to container 107. Thewater enters container 107 and passes through a filter 109 configured toremove algae from the water. The water then discharges through one ormore holes back into the pool volume where it is eventually recycledback through system 101.

Pump 103 is configured to pull a volume of water from a pool and pass itthrough container 107 for filtering. Pump 103 includes a pump housing111 a base portion 113, and an inlet 115. Pump 103 may be locatedadjacent to the pool as long as pump 103 is in communication with thewater of the pool. For example, pump 103 may be at least partiallysubmerged in the pool, or alternatively located outside of the pool butwherein inlet 115 is in communication with the pool water. In eitherlocation, pump 103 and system 101 in general is configured to provide acontinuous loop of moving water wherein the water is drawn in from thepool and discharged into the pool in a submerged location. The water isnot exposed to the ambient air during filtration. Filtration occurs in afully submerged and saturated filter.

Housing 111 is located on base portion 113. Portion 113 providesstability for housing 111 and also serves to connect inlet 115 to anoutlet 117. Portion 113 may be rested on a pool step or along the copingof the pool. When inlet 115 is not submerged itself, one or more hosesmay be used to provide access to the pool water. A motor is included forgenerating the work required to move the water. An example of a suitablemotor is a ⅓ horsepower water submersible pump. As depicted, pump 103 ispowered through a plug 119 to ensure constant uninterrupted supply ofpower. It is understood that power may also be provided through storedpower supplies (i.e. batteries) in selected embodiments.

Hose 105 is configured to route the pressurized pool water from pump 103to container 107. Hose 105 is flexible in nature and can be formed toany length. Hose is coupled to outlet 117 and a portion of container107. Couplings may be used for generating a water tight seal. One ormore reducers may also be used at the fittings to adjust hose 105 to thesize of outlet 117 and container 107 openings. An exemplary coupling isa rubber coupling reducing from 2″ to 1.5″. Fasteners are used to ensureproper seal. It is understood that hose 105 may or may not be fullysubmerged in the pool water, as the particular routing is dependent uponthe locations of pump 103 and container 107.

Container 107 is a hollow housing having an inlet port 120 at one endand one or more holes 121 at an end opposite the inlet port 120. Filter109 is located between inlet 120 and holes 121. The housing of container107 is configured to be water tight to prevent leakage or loss of waterbetween inlet 120 and holes 121. Filter 109 is compressed into container107 so as to consume the interior volume. As seen in FIG. 1, filter 109is only depicted in a portion of container 107. This is done for claritypurposes so as to allow depiction of container 107 and holes 121 inbetter quality. It is understood that filter 109 may consume the fullinterior of container 107.

Referring now also to FIG. 2 in the drawings, an enlarged side view offilter 109 is illustrated. Filter 109 is porous in nature to allow waterto pass through and be discharged. Naturally the inclusion of a pump andthe slight obstruction of a filter causes a slight pressure build-up offluid in container 103. Subjecting the filtering process to a level ofincreased pressure (i.e. above ambient pressure) helps to push the waterthrough filter 109 and out holes 121. Filter 109 permits many excellentfeatures. Filter 109 is configured to collect or separate algae from thewater. The algae is captured and collected within the fibers of thefilter. Filter 109 is a poly-fiber material although other types areconsidered within the scope of the present application.

Filter 109 is configured to be compressed which can result in varieddensities within container 107. The ability to vary the density of thefilter within container 107 allows an operator to regulate the level offiltration. Filter 109 may also be cleaned. Cleaning may occur withincontainer 107 or outside after removal. The collected algae may beremoved by flushing the filter with clean water (i.e. algae free). Thealgae releases from the filter. If performed while filter 109 is stillin container, the algae flushes out through holes 121. Once clean, thefilter may be dried and reused as necessary. Filter 109 may be composedof one or more independent sections of filter material, each of whichmay have a different density under uncompressed conditions.

A feature of container 107 is the permitted visual inspection of filter109. Container 107 may include a transparent portion wherein an operatormay visually inspect the condition of the filter inside container 107.Algae becomes visible on filter 109 as it is collected. When filter 109becomes “full” or needs cleaning, the operator may elect to flush waterthrough filter 109 at a higher flow rate than experienced during normaloperation. The higher flow rate of water is designed to break loose thealgae.

In operation, a number of simplistic and powerful advantage of system101 are illustrated. Referring now also to FIGS. 3 and 4 in thedrawings, exemplary side views of a pool are shown with system 101.System 101 is configured to be fully portable and able to be carried byan operator. Each component in system 101 is designed to be relativelylight weight. Additionally, system 101 is operable without heavy sand,expensive filtration screens, or the use of chemicals to kill the algae.System 101 is configured to trap the algae and remove the algae from thepool as container 107 is removed.

In the event a pool is experiencing an outbreak of algae or haspreviously developed algae that is still present, system 101 may be usedto capture the algae and permit for its easy removal from the pool.System 101 is operable with or without the use of existing poolequipment. Reasons exist for not operating system 101 with existing poolequipment, such as at least the following: 1) the pool equipment failedand/or is the reason for the algae growth; 2) an owner does not want toput the pool equipment under extra wear and tear; 3) the owner wants toavoid extra costs associated with continuous running of the poolequipment; and 4) the owner desires to use less chemicals.

Once filter 109 is located in container 107, an operator may simplylocate pump 103 near the surface of the water and toss in container 107into the pool. Container 107 is designed to eventually submerge belowthe surface of the water. System 101 is configured to dictate the levelof circulation within the pool. When used, water is pulled through pump103 and discharged through container 107. A one-directional flow ofwater is passed through system 101. By selectively locating the areas ofintake and discharge, system 101 can influence a circulation of poolwater within the pool.

Referring to FIG. 3, system 101 is configured to generate a circulationthroughout the entire pool. Location of inlet 115 and container 107 areseparated to opposing ends of the pool to increase overall circulationand filtration of the algae within the entire pool. To do so, inlet 115is located at one end of the pool (i.e. shallow end) and container 107is located at another end of the pool (i.e. deep end). Ideally, pump 103is either on the coping where a tube is used to feed inlet 115 or pump103 is located on a step of the pool to allow for the partial submersionof pump 103 wherein inlet 115 is submerged. This configuration is idealwhere algae is seen throughout the entire pool and no real localizedconcentration is visible.

Referring to FIG. 4, system 101 is configured to provide a morelocalized circulation in the pool. Conditions may exist in relation tothe pool that promote localized growth of algae. For example, conditionsmay include the depth of the pool and access to shade from the sun. Toprovide localized treatment, the location of inlet 115 and container 107are restricted to a singular end of the pool to minimize overall poolcirculation and provide localized filtration of the algae within aportion of the pool. In FIG. 4, pump 103 is located on the coping edgeof the pool and inlet 115 is aided by a tube in communication with thewater.

In use, the method of filtering the pool includes capturing a volume ofwater from the pool. The water is then passed through a hose to acontainer. Then filtering of the water through a filter in the containeroccurs. Once passed through the filter, the water is discharged backinto the pool where it is recycled through the system. At any time, anoperator may elect to visually inspect the condition of the filterthrough the container, elect to relocate pump 103 and/or container 107,or elect to flush filter 109 to remove collected algae.

The current application has many advantages over the prior art includingat least the following: (1) ability to capture algae from pool waterwithout chemical usage; (2) simple and quick to use; (3) reduced cost tooperate; and (4) ability to operate without the use of standard poolequipment.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only and arenot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the preciseform disclosed, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced indifferent but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the arthaving the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident thatthe particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified,and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit ofthe application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as setforth in the description. It is apparent that an application withsignificant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although thepresent application is shown in a limited number of forms, it is notlimited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes andmodifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A water filtration system for a pool, comprising:a portable pump configured to move a volume of water from the pool; ahose in communication with the pump and configured to receive andtransport the volume of water being moved; and a portable container incommunication with the hose and configured to receive the water beingmoved, the container including: an internal filter configured to capturealgae from the volume of water; and a plurality of holes such that thevolume of water moving through the hose passes through the filter andout through the plurality of holes; wherein the volume of water isrecycled through the pump and the container.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the container is at least partially transparent to permit visualinspection of the condition of the filter.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the pump is at least partially submerged in the pool.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the filtration of the water to remove algaeis performed without the use of chemicals.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the volume of water within the container is pressurized as itpasses through the filter.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the pumpincludes an inlet for the drawing in of the volume of water, thelocation of the container and the inlet of the pump configured todictate the level of circulation within the pool.
 7. The system of claim6, wherein the location of the inlet and the container are restricted toa singular end of the pool to minimize overall pool circulation andprovide localized filtration of the algae within a portion of the pool.8. The system of claim 6, wherein the location of the inlet and thecontainer are separated to opposing ends of the pool to increase overallcirculation and filtration of the algae within the entire pool.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the filter is made from a poly-fibermaterial.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the volume of water remainswithin the pool during filtration.
 11. A method of filtering a pool,comprising: capturing a volume of water from the pool; passing thevolume of water through a hose to a container; filtering the volume ofwater through a filter in the container, the container and the filterbeing submerged in the pool; discharging the volume of water from thecontainer into the pool; and recycling the volume of water through thefilter.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: visuallyinspecting the filter through the container, the container being atleast partially transparent.
 13. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: cleaning the filter by flushing algae-free water through thecontainer.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the filter is reusable.15. The method of claim 11, further comprising: locating the containerwithin the pool, wherein the capturing of the volume of water in thepool is performed by a pump having an inlet in communication with thevolume of water.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the distancebetween the inlet and the container can vary, the hose being flexible.17. The method of claim 15, wherein the location of the container andthe inlet of the pump is configured to dictate the level of circulationwithin the pool.
 18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:locating the inlet and the container adjacent to one another so as tominimize circulation throughout the pool, the minimized circulationlocalizes filtration of the algae within the pool.
 19. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising: locating the inlet and the containerdistant from one another so as to maximize overall circulation andfiltration of the algae throughout the pool.
 20. The method of claim 11,wherein filtration of the volume of water is performed without theintroduction of chemicals.